Gingertown 2012 Creates College Campus Out Of Holiday Treats (PHOTOS)

WASHINGTON -- Gingertown is no ordinary cluster of gingerbread houses. Started in 2006 by David M. Schwarz Architects, the holiday-themed event brings together a cadre of architects, builders and designers to craft a mini-city using gingerbread, icing and other seasonal treats as construction materials.

This year's theme? Gingerbread University.

As WJLA-TV/ABC7 reports, the gingerbread collegiate community also includes a dog park made out of Tootsie rolls.

According to Gingertown's website:

Like all great master plans, the GINGERTOWN plan has the sense and rhythm of a traditional planned city with communal and civic-minded centers, green spaces and a strong pedestrian culture. But unlike like other towns, the streets of GINGERTOWN are paved in Reeses Pieces and Rice Krispies, and typically have lamp posts constructed of candy canes.

GINGERTOWN’s expansive lots allow individual designers and teams to be highly creative as they build essential town structures like city hall, the concert hall, the library, and, of course, the toy store. These structures are trimmed with chocolate, frosting, sprinkles, jelly beans and other edible (and sugary) building materials.

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This year's construction event, held Monday night at 1133 Connecticut Ave. NW, bought together a handful of architects, builders and designers including ZGF Architects, GTM Architects, Studio 39 Landscape Architecture, Davis Construction and SK+I among others.

This year's Gingertown beneficiaries include the Children’s National Medical Center, Deanwood Rehabilitation & Wellness Center, Martha’s Table, My Sister’s Place, St. Elizabeths Hospital, So Others Might Eat, The Washington Home and The Wendt Center for Loss & Healing.

The display can be viewed through Friday at 1133 Connecticut Ave. NW.